Social Media Powers Used for Good

by Kate Catlin

So often we use social media to learn more about our friends or post photos about the latest party we attended. Some experts bash it for minimizing our face to face conversations and feel it causes us to conform. I have changed my tune completely over the last week and now think Facebook has unbelievable potential. Let me back up here…

The Background
On Friday, Nov. 9, a 2006 Elon grad by the name of Kyle Fleischmann went out to Buckhead Saloon in Charlotte, NC with a group of friends. As the night wound down, friends started to leave and Kyle left the bar at 2:20 a.m. – this was documented by security cameras and it was the last time anyone saw Kyle.

Kyle is 6’ even, about 180 lbs. with green eyes, and brown hair. He was last seen wearing a black t-shirt, jeans, and black dress shoes. He never made it back to his car, which was parked at a friend’s house, and family and friends have not heard from him at all.

Social Media Takes Over the Search
As it became clear that something had gone terribly wrong and Kyle was a missing person, his friends set up a Facebook group. The group has since become the center communication for search efforts. Up for less than one week, the group already has 34,282 members (it increases every minute) and 1,452 message posts which also increase rapidly.

The Facebook group, Help Find Kyle Fleischmann – MISSING, has been used to relay the most current information on the search. It has also been used to coordinate media efforts, reporters have posted requests for interviews and friends and family have posted media contacts they have pitched.

It is through these efforts, communicated through a Facebook group, that searchers have gotten this story on Nancy Grace, Larry King Live, and America’s Most Wanted. There was even a friend in the audience with a sign at the Today show this morning. Through the site, these people have communicated when these segments will air so friends and family can tune in. They have also linked to all online stories and uploaded all video clips so people can go to news outlet Web sites and post comments there. The Facebook group has referred people to donate money to the cause at www.helpfindkyle.com. The effort has raised well over $10,000 and allowed the family to offer a reward.

Online users have also changed their profile pictures on Facebook and MySpace to the photo below. This has helped in getting the word out as well.

The Power of a Group
As a fellow 2006 Elon grad, I have been following Kyle’s story closely trying to find anything I can do to help. It is amazing to see that if I want up to the minute updates I need to check Facebook, not the local media in Charlotte. I am proud to be a part of the Elon family and it is awesome to see all of his friends, family and complete strangers from across the country pull together to find Kyle Fleischmann. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

Just one final note – in the 40 minutes it took me to write this blog, over 200 people joined the Facebook group and ten people posted a comment. This is truly an example of the power of social media.

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